Oscar Micheaux, born January 2, 1884 in Metropolis, Illinois, was an African-American independent film director and producer of more than 44 movies. He has been described as the most successful African-American filmmaker of the first half of the 20th century.
He became a homesteader in South Dakota and began writing as a second source of income, and submitted his articles to the press. The Chicago Defender published one of his earliest articles.
His 1918 novel, The Homesteader got the attention of George Johnson, the manager of the Lincoln Motion Picture Company, the first movie company owned and controlled by black filmmakers. Conflicts between Micheaux and Johnson resulted in the Lincoln company not producing the film.
Micheaux founded the Micheaux Film & Book Company in Chicago and its first project was the Homesteader. Micheaux's movies featured genuine black life, dealing with race relationships, and challenges for blacks trying to achieve success. He opposed racial injustice received by African-Americans. He did not shy away from topics such as lynching, rape mob violence, and white supremacy. He would counter the depiction of African-Americans in white movies.
Micheaux passed away in March 1951 in North Carolina and is buried in Great Bend, Kansas.
His film Body and Soul was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1987.
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